Some properties of the phonon spectra of transition metal disilicides VSi2, NbSi2, and TaSi2

The phonon spectra of metallic disilicides VSi2, NbSi2, and TaSi2 have been studied in detail by inelastic neutron scattering at 300 K and specific heat measurements between 10 K and 250 K. The specific heat calculated from the generalised phonon density of states extracted from neutron measurements is in good agreement with the measured lattice contribution to the specific heat. The properties of the phonon spectra are discussed in relation with other data reported for these isostructural and isoelectronic disilicides.